"The Road Along The Creek Is A Narrow Rocky Path Near The Borders Of Very
High Precipices, From Which A
Fall seems almost inevitable destruction.
One of our horses slipped and rolled over with his load down the hillside,
which
Was nearly perpendicular and strewed with large irregular rocks,
nearly one hundred yards, and did not stop till he fell into the creek.
We all expected he was killed, but to our astonishment, on taking
off his load he rose, seemed but little injured, and in twenty
minutes proceeded with his load. Having no other provision,
we took some portable soup, our only refreshment during the day.
This abstinence, joined with fatigue, has a visible effect on our health.
The men are growing weak and losing their flesh very fast; several are
afflicted with dysentery, and eruptions of the skin are very common."
Next day, the party descended the last of the Bitter Root range and reached
level country. They were at last over the Great Divide. Three Indian boys
were discovered hiding in the grass, in great alarm. Captain Clark at once
dismounted from his horse, and, making signs of amity, went after the boys.
He calmed their terrors, and, giving them some bits of ribbon, sent them home.
"Soon after the boys reached home, a man came out to meet the party,
with great caution; but he conducted them to a large tent
in the village, and all the inhabitants gathered round to view
with a mixture of fear and pleasure these wonderful strangers.
The conductor now informed Captain Clark, by signs,
that the spacious tent was the residence of the great chief,
who had set out three days ago with all the warriors to attack
some of their enemies toward the southwest; that he would not
return before fifteen or eighteen days, and that in the mean time
there were only a few men left to guard the women and children.
They now set before them a small piece of buffalo-meat,
some dried salmon, berries, and several kinds of roots.
Among these last is one which is round, much like an onion
in appearance, and sweet to the taste.
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 176 of 362
Words from 53403 to 53765
of 110166
